Coustkuction of



E. J AGOBS. JAIL AND PRISON.

No. 24,307. Patented June '7, 1,859.

l l I I I L I 'Illu ENOCH JACOBS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

CONSTRUCTION OF. PRISONS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,307, dated J' une 7, 1859'.

T 'o all whom t may concern:

Be it knownI that I, ENooH JACOBS, of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Jails or Prisons; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and clear description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon and made to form a part of this description. j

The nature of my invention relatesto the construction and arrangement of a secret passage, or guard chamber, formed between an iron plate jail, and the masonry or other inclosure, by which the same may be surrounded, in such manner that said passage or chamber, may be entered from without sa'id iron structure, thereby affording great advantages in the security of prisoners, and facilitates in the arrangement of water pipes, etc., as hereinafter specified and represented.

In reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure l, is a ground plan of the improvement. Fig. 2, is an external view of the same in perspective. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the improvement, a portion of the outer wall being removed in order to show the arrangement of the tank, water pipes, etc. Fig. 4, is a sectional vertical elevation, showing the arrangement of the entrance passage, and prisoners cells.

(A) represents the outer wall or inclosure of the jail.

(A) is a partition wall within the inclosure (B) is the jail constructed of wrought iron plates, with a central hall (B) and suitable cells (O) for prisoners. Through the floors of the ail, are made apertures (CZ) for the purpose of ventilation. These apertures are thoroughly barred, as shown in Fig. l. Openings (c) in the foundation (Z9) of the jail are made to supply the openings or ventilators (el) with air. Upon the top of the iron jail is arranged a water tank (E), by means of which the cells are supplied with water through the medium of between it and the wall (A) is a secret passage or guard chamber, which leads entirely aroundA the jail except those portions occupied by the window and the entrance doorway (g). This passage or chamber has entrance doors (it) upon either side of the jail leading from the front hall (7e) to said passage kor chamber (H). In the top of the iron jail (B) are barred openings ((Z) corresponding to the openings (d), for ventilating purposes. The central hall (J) and the secret guard chamber (H) are lighted by means of windows (W), inthe roof of the inclosure, (A) as shown in Fig. 2. rlhe cells (C) also receive light from the same source by means of thebarred openings ((Z).

By means of the secret guard chamber (H) constrcuted and arranged as above described, the person in charge of the jail and prisoners confinedA therein, is enabled, to keep a continued and perfect inspection of the entire outside of the iron jail (B), to detect any attempts to escape on the part of the prisoners, or overhear any conversation passing between them, and to regulate the supply of water to the cells. He is also enabled to inspect the discharge water pipes, which pass from the cells (C) immediately under the ioor of the chamber (H), so that any disarrangement or stoppage, may be placed in order, or repaired without delay or diiiiculty. Y

I may here remark, that one great advantage of a secret guard chamber around a jail constructed of iron plates, is attributable to the facility with which sound is transmitted or conducted through the iron plates. Owing to this fact, a person, moving carefully along the chamber, (H) may hearjdistinctly every sound in the cells; and conversation between prisoners confined in said cells, although conducted in whispers, may be distinctly heard in the guard chamber (H). Consequently, by means of said chamber the person in charge-of the prisoners may be thoroughly cognizant of everything transpiring within the cells, and without the knowledge of the prisoners.

The window (f) may be omitted if de-l sired, and the passage or chamber (H) eX- tends unobstructed entirely around the iron structure.

What I claim as my invention and desire In testimony of which invention I hve to ecure by Letters Patent sb hereunto set my hand.

secret passage or Guard cham er Y around the outside of, an irobn plate jail, and ENOCH JACOBS' 5 between said jail, and a. surrounding in- Witnesses:V

closure, Constructed and arranged Vsubstam- W. P. ENSEY,

tially as described for thepurposes set forth. l H. E. CLIFTON. 

